"You want to know how to make God laugh? Tell him your plans." Where to even begin? I feel like I have so much to say but can't get it out in a coherent sentence. When I read a book (and decide to review it) I usually have a process I go through. As I go through the story, I have a sort of... outline in my head of what I want to say. So my reviews are usually a reflection of what I thought and felt throughout the whole entire book, while I was 'in the moment.' With God-Shaped Hole, I finished it without having any clue of what the hell I was going to talk about. All I did while reading this book was feel. This is a story that makes you think about everything and nothing at the same time. It was a story about people with dreams. Dreams that never come true. Anyone that knows me and has seen my shelf knows what type of books I read. I'm not too picky but I usually go for a story with some angst and a HEA... and by HEA I mean they get married, have kids, live in a place where there is world peace and die of old age together holding hands. Sounds corny and predictable but I go to my books to escape. Not to see more of the problems I have can find the real world. However, there comes a day when I decide: You know what, Destini? You haven't suffered in a while. And that's where God-Shaped Hole comes into play. I'm just going to let everyone know right now, it's depressing. I mean, you really have to be in the right frame of mind to start this one. Don't let that discourage you, though! It's a beautiful story. “It seemed cruelly unfair to me, even then, how fast your life can change before you have an opportunity to rethink your choices. We should get second chances on the big stuff. We should come equipped with erasers attached to the tops of our heads. Like pencils. We should be able to flip over and scribble away mistakes, at least once or twice during the duration of our existence, especially in matters of life and death.” I didn't choose this book to escape into. I chose it because I felt I could gain some perspective on a few things. And I did. This story... it's not like others. You're reading about this couple's life, which should sound extremely boring, but it wasn't. Everything was so genuine and I was immediately pulled in. I was there. In the book, experiencing everything. I cried when they did, suffered when they suffered, laughed when they laughed, loved them as they loved each other... I felt it all. Trixie and Jacob... I don't think I could have describe a more imperfectly perfect couple. They truly were siamese soul lovers. Trixie makes the list for my top heroines but Jacob... he was the one that really stole my heart. He was such a kind, gentle soul but so full of life. I can't put it in better words than this: [his eyes] ... they were older, wearier than his age let on. But I sensed in them a splash of irony, too; a proud acceptance of the fact that life can be a bitch sometimes, that some people feel things too deeply.He was who he was and I loved him for it. Jacob was far from perfect and made some bad decisions but ultimately, he was good at heart. "You try and act so tough, you think you're so damn hopeless and godless and faithless, but you don't fool me. People without hope aren't tormented by the world they way you are. People without hope don't give a shit. But I see it in you, in the way you look at things, even in the way you look at me sometimes, like I'm the coolest fucking guy in the universe, and I know it's in there. Reverence. Belief. Something. You have a lot more faith than you own up to." This story deals with religion and faith but it doesn't make up the book. If anything, I would describe it more as discovering the meaning in life. The meaning for everything. The reason for anything being the way it is, why we are the way we are... and why some things happen to us. Even though this is a tough read, it wasn't all depressing. Trixie and Jacob had a dry humor that had me wiping tears away. And when it's all over and you look back, it's sad, nobody can deny that, but there are also good memories. Happy things that you remember. That leave you smiling. "I know it's late but," he paused, "would it be all right if I came over?""Right now?""Yeah.""Jacob," I said, "how long have you been waiting to ask me that?""Who knows?" he said, more to himself than to me. "Maybe all my life."I would definitely recommend reading this book. It's a story that'll stay with you forever, that will still have you feeling years later. I've said everything in the best way I can but honestly, this is a book that needs to be experienced. My song for God-Shaped Hole: Hallelujah
5 INCREDIBLE STARS!!! What can I say about this book? It kept me up all night reading. It made me think. It made me re-evaluate my own life. It moved me. It destroyed me. Beatrix (Trixie) and Jacob meet by an ad. It’s silly. Jacob put it in the paper, just because... and Trixie answered. If your intentions are pureI’m seeking a friend For the end Of the world. Some people are just meant to meet. Meant to know each other, be in each others lives. Thats how it is with Jacob Grace and Trixie. They are just meant to be. From the first time they meet, they both know it. Jacob is different than any man Trixie has ever met. I got the impression Jacob was an odd person. And I mean that as the best possible compliment I could give a guy.Jacob feels something with Trixie he as never felt. He knows she is it for him. “Here’s the thing. I feel like we grew in the same womb or something. Like we’ve been connected from the beginning by blood and veins. Siamese soul lovers, if there could ever be such a thing.” Jacob is a writer working on his novel called Hallelujah, and Trixie makes her own jewelry and sells it to high end stores. I loved these two together. The time they spent together, the things they talked about. Everything. “We’re all searching for something to fill up what I like to call that big, God-shaped hole in our souls. Some people use alcohol, or sex, or their children, or food, or money, or music, or heroin. A lot of people even use the concept of God itself. I could go on and on. I used to know a girl who used shoes. She had over two-hundred pairs. But it’s all the same thing, really. People, for some stupid reason, think they can escape their sorrows.” They are able to communicate about life, love, their families, hopes, dreams, fears. Trixie has many fears... her biggest fear being death. Jacob, not so much. One thing he is afraid of... “Everyone’s afraid of something.” I said.“Okay then,” he said, trying to think of something quickly. “I’m afraid of sleeping another night without you. How’s that?” I fell in love with Jacob Grace. He is a man unlike any other. He has issues, mostly with his father, but he is the sweetest, kindest, most soulful character. He is a lover, a dreamer, passionate, just amazing. You can’t help but adore him. He really is ‘it’ for Trixie. No matter what this couple goes through, there is never a question about it. They were made for each other. They have this intense connection, you just can’t explain it. You can feel it. Jacob is everything Trixie has ever wanted, what she’s been looking for her entire life. Trixie and Jacob have a plan. They are going south once his book sells, getting out of LA. They have hopes, dreams, aspirations. Beautiful, beautiful plans. But you know what they say... These two characters are not perfect- they are far from it. But they are absolutley 100% perfect for one another. They make mistakes throughout their journey, but they always find their way back to one another. Bottom line: It’s okay to screw up as long as you keep trying. The key is to keep trying.I am gonna stop right here... I don’t want to spoil the ending, and I can’t really talk about it right now. You just have to read this one for yourself. Is it devastating at times? Yes. Will your heart break into a million little pieces while reading? Yes. Is it one of the best, most well written books I’ve ever read? Yes. Will I ever forget Jacob and Trixie’s story? No. Never. (view spoiler)[ “The days will always be brighter because he existed.The nights will always be darker because he's gone.And no matter what anybody says about grief, and about time healing all wounds, the truth is, there are certain sorrows that never fade away until the heart stops beating and the last breath is taken.” Cue my uncontrollable SOBBING! OMG YES I SOBBED!!!! (hide spoiler)]
What do You think about God-Shaped Hole (2002)?
4 depressing stars.****Review completed August 8, 2013 "(…) I think we are God. We all have that inside of us. And I believe we go on after we've turned to dust. Our souls, I mean."(…)"A search. We're all searching for something to fill up what I like to call that big God-shaped hole in our souls. Some people use alcohol, or sex, or their children, or food, or money, or music, or heroin. A lot of people even use the concept of God itself. (…)" I have decided to not review God-Shaped Hole. The following paragraph about loss is all you get from me regarding this story. Also, I think that my pictures and gifs as well as the quotes and the poem do speak for themselves. I would like to add one thing though. While it is very obvious that God-Shaped Hole deals with fear, loss and the meaning of life, it also touches another sensitive subject matter: God & religion. This leads me to my conclusion that I'm not able to review God-Shaped Hole without getting personal. I have learned my lesson, and I'm not willing anymore to put my little self out there in the open.Whatever you decide, God-Shaped Hole is a great book and so worth reading. Just make sure that you are in the right frame of mind before you delve into this heartbreaking story because it is not a book to be enjoyed. It's one of those to be experienced, and I'm pretty sure it's going to leave a hole in your heart. Real annihilation happens from the inside out. As expected the writing is eye-catching and great but God-Shaped Hole is frigging depressing. I knew all that when I read the blurb and yet…it's Tiffanie…you need to read her books, and I hope she will be writing a lot more in the (near) future. She has a magnificent talent to engage me in a story and to keep me there. That's the true beauty and force of words; when they are powerful enough to haunt you for a long time after you've closed the book. Reading her thoughtful and poignant words is moving but at the same time also very upsetting. Everyone has experienced loss in their life. After all it's a natural process and unavoidable. Yet what makes it even sadder are the circumstances, the how and when loss occurs. The why. It's final. What remains are memories that, in the best case, will make you smile and in the worst case will aggravate your (almost) unbearable pain and grief. And the biggest bullshit of all is that time will heal your wounds. That's such nonsense and not true. You learn to live with loss and pain. And over time your pain fades and blurs but it doesn't go away completely. The open wound festers for a while and closes eventually, however, the scar is what will cause you trouble for the rest of your life. There remains a dull pain that flares up from time to time depending on how moody you are. Like rainy weather that is going to trouble your joints, you know? As long as you're alive that little pain will be your constant companion, and a part of that hole in your heart. (view spoiler)["That's why I love you," he said. "You try and act so tough, you think you're so damn hopeless and godless and faithless, but you don't fool me. People without hope aren't tormented by the world the way you are. People without hope don't give a shit. But I see it in you, in the way you look at things, even in the way you look at me sometimes, like I'm the coolest fucking guy in the universe, and I know it's in there. Reverence. Belief. Something. You have a lot more faith than you own up to. You just don't want to be let down. But I'm not going to let you down again. Not if I can help it." (hide spoiler)]
—Baba ♥♥♥ Tyler, Marcus, Archer, Dean, Adrian, Dan & Hunter
“Don't waste your time with fear.. Fear won't keep you safe from being hurt.” This book blew my mind. I am not even sure how to express how much this book tore me apart. It fucked my world up let me put it like that. I loved the authors book, How to Kill a Rock Star. I knew starting this book that I should not take this story likely. I knew what would happen. It was just a given. It is read out and expressed to you many times through out the book. How could I not, NOT want to read it. This author is a magical writer. Nothing paranormal or anything like that. It's more poetic that is for sure. She captures the characters in a magical way and the love they have for each other is internal. True love, soul mates type of shit. And I felt that to my gut. I knew these two are one of a fucking kind and I am glad they shared their experience with me. The bond these two have makes the love that I know just love. This type of love they have is that one truly once in a lifetime experience. Their made for each other. That's what made this book too. The characters were the most brilliant fuckingcharacters I have read in a long time. There is not a single type of character like, Jacob and Trixie. “You try and act so tough, you think you're so damn hopeless and godless and faithless, but you don't fool me. People without hope aren't tormented by the world the way you are. People without hope don't give a shit. but I see it in you, in the way you look at things, even in the way you look at me sometimes, like I'm the coolest fucking guy in the universe, and I know it's in there. Reverence. Belief. Something. You have a lot more faith than you own up to. You just don't want to be let down. But I'm not going to let you down again. Not if I can help it.” It breaks my fucking heart into little pieces and wanted to throw my kindle across the highway (since I was riding in car), I really had it planned in my mind, I was going to roll down my window and say FUCK YOU WORLD!!! I am still thinking about it while I am laying here in the hotel room bed. If I could open the window I would just throw it out the window and hope the fucking buss station across the street hits my kindle and drags little pieces of it all the way to California.I don't know how I am going to get over this book. I don't think I can. It has left it's imprint in my heart and soul. Its the type of book that leave its mark and I will keep thinking about it over and over for next...forever.... I am seriously getting fucking teary eye just thinking about this book and looking through my clippings for quotes I want to use. I kind of want to lock this book away so no one can have the same type of feelings I have for these characters. I want to keep them for my self. But, then again I want to share my experience with anyone who can handle this type of book. Someone who can appreciate the type of beautiful writing you will get in this book. Enjoy the words flowing into something so beautiful that it will grow and make you think there is nothing better then this right now. Its a wonderful feeling and I thank this author for creating something so perfect. “Thoughts are king, Trixie, king!” Were their flaws? Hell yes. But those didn't matter to me after I read this. It wasn't the type of flaws that made me want to lower the book rating or anything. There was angst, punching bitches in the face moments. Fuck I need a snickers right now... My heart hurts. In a good way and in a broken in little pieces way. But it doesn't matter because there is a man called, Jacob in this book. And, Jacob deserves fucking everything in this goddamn world.... He's my everything right now. “If your intentions are pure, I'm seeking a friend for the end of the world.”
—Amber Rose
Patty❤️❤️Belongs To❤️Kellan Kyle❤️AND❤️Jesse Ward❤️❤️ wrote: "Yay!! Five Stars!I wouldn't doubt anything by this author would be less than five star worthy!Can't wait for your review Debra!!xoxoxo"Dawn wrote: "Knew you would love it.. I need to re-read this soon xx"Jennifer wrote: "So glad you loved it Debra <3"♥Rachel♥ wrote: "Great review so far, Debra! :)"Lady Vigilante (Feifei) wrote: "I'm scared to read this one lol! Glad it was a winner for you :D"✽ Sharon is an emotional book junkie ✽ wrote: "Yay! glad u loved it. cant wait for ur review!"Destini Mia~ ♕ Sassy Lassie wrote: "Glad you loved this one, Debra!! ♥"Thanks everyone!! It really was an amazing book!! <33 Hoping to post my review soon ;)
—Debra
